PEN America’s Commitment to Health and Safety at the 2021 PEN America Literary Gala
Updated Sept. 21, 2021 To protect all in attendance, PEN America will enforce a robust set of health and safety measures for the 2021 PEN America Literary Gala in New… More
‘It was like watching someone take their last breaths,’ says Afghan American Writer Nadia Hashimi
Afghan American author Nadia Hashimi reflects on the fall of Afghanistan, the future of women’s rights in the country, and how readers and writers can support one another. More
A Texas Book Ban is an Attack on the Freedom to Learn
Months after the Leander Independent School District banned books and graphic novels from its secondary school curriculum, the district released decisions on an additional set of titles. More
The PEN Ten: An Interview with Quiara Alegría Hudes
“Writing is self-interrogation. Rigorous contemplation. That, in and of itself, is resistance in this capitalist amnesiac macho nation.” More
Open Letter: New York Literary Organizations Support ‘Rap Music on Trial’ Legislation
On behalf of New York City’s literary community and supporters, we express our strong support of the proposed “Rap Music on Trial” legislation. More
The PEN Ten: An Interview with Daphne Palasi Andreades
“I like that word, ‘need,’ in relation to art and storytelling. ‘Need’ implies a necessity. . . . Stories have helped me understand myself and the world more deeply.” More
Open Letter to the School Board of the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District
PEN America urges the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District not to pass the “Resolution Opposing the Teaching of Critical Race Theory.” More
PEN Pals: Margarita Engle and Padma Venkatraman Use Words as Bridges
“I knew that poetry could help me feel empathy and compassion as well as joy. I hoped that would be true for young readers and writers too.” More
Open Letter to Supreme Leader of Iran on Baktash Abtin
PEN America and its allies call on the Supreme Leader of Iran to urgently release filmmaker and poet Baktash Abtin and all unjustly detained for their writing or expression. More
The PEN Ten: An Interview with Jean Chen Ho
“I made a lot of awful, sad things happen to these characters [in Fiona and Jane]. . . and still, they manage to survive and even find joy, together.” More
Alert Us
Are you an artist at risk or know someone who is?
PEN America On 
The 2022 Emerging Voices Fellowship application period is now open through January 31. Apply today!
https://pen.org/emerging-voices-fellowship/
Lawmakers in at least 12 states have introduced legislation to require schools to post lists of all of their teaching materials online, including books, articles and videos. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/critical-race-theory-curriculum-transparency-rcna12809
In this week's #PENTen interview, we speak with Quiara Alegría Hudes about the power of language and the nuances of identity and difference in her memoir MY BROKEN LANGUAGE. Read the full interview here: https://bit.ly/3Afh0Jq.
